PFPX integration?

[DLRK]

I don't know if this is feasible or not, but is there any chance of FSCaptain being able to parse a flightplan from PFPX into the load and fuel info used by FSCaptain?

[dlarrok]

This is me, had forgotten my password.

[Travis]

I have had a note to write to Christian at PFPX for a while. I have fallen behind in several things, but I do have this on my list to-do.

[dlarrok]

Sounds good, thanks.

[peter]

Would it generally be possible to provide an interface for input to FSCaptain? In such a way that an external program may provide all data for the next flight(s), for instance? I am using PFPX as well and also other programs to determine my flights. At the moment I have to manually override what FSCaptain suggests, it would be great if this could be automatized.

An easy way to do this might be a text file in the FSCaptain directory which the dispatcher reads before suggesting flights. PFPX or other programs could then automatically write the data in that file.

Cheers,
Peter

[Travis]

I've not gotten around to writing Christian yet.... One day hopefully this year - things have been quite busy of late (planning for FSCaptain 1.5, EFB 2.0, even some Arrival and Departure files for AISIDSTAR).

What parameters would you want to be able to "bridge into" FSCaptain??

• Departure, Destination, Alternate
• Flight plan
• Flight number
• Total payload (can't get too specific)
• Departure / Arrival times
• WX / Upper level winds
• ? ? ?

[peter]

Hi Travis,

thanks for your response. Your suggested parameters would already be a great help. My proposal is not just about PFPX but also relevant for VAs and economic models running outside of FS Captain. For my personal needs departure, destination, alternate, payload, fuel on board and flight duration would be most important. However, the other parameters that you mentioned would be very useful as well.

A weather file would actually be quite good. I am using AS2012 in direct weather mode, which always produces wrong metars in FSCaptain. Not a big deal, but if one could load the AS2012 weather forecast at the beginning of the flight it would lead to more realistic metars. Then again, I've heard that they are already working on a successor to AS2012.

Cheers,
Peter

[Travis]

I'll run my ideas past Dutch, but no promises on what or when.

As for your weather, your Admin should use your AS2012 file... so whatever METAR it has for your destination... the Admin would see that.

You can also set your FCOM to always use your data files first - instead of the MSFS weather.

[peter]

Hi Travis,

thanks for taking care of the input file idea.

The weather problem is not a problem of FSCaptain but of AS2012. In the mode that I use it sets the weather the same on all stations to avoid the winds aloft problem. So FSCaptain reports correctly what is in the AS2012 file and also in MSFS stations, it's just not the actual weather at these stations. I am confident that the next version of AS will resolve this.

Cheers,
Peter

[Travis]

Well now it's not a promise, it's just something that Dutch did sound interested in... we'll see what he makes of it - if anything.   (Speaking of what Dutch makes, dadgum it - I missed out on chowing down on one of his grilled burgers today. )

As for the weather - I understand the "global weather concept" that AS uses. If every "cell" has the same winds, then no matter how high/low or fast/slow that you fly, there'll be no windshifts... the weather everywhere is the same. That's one reason why Dutch (and EFB) lets you peek at the data in the weather file - you can see what the weather will be when you get to where you're going... even if it's not that right now.

It's a good compromise that suits many users well... but isn't something that I'd employ.  Toutefois... vive la difference!

[dlarrok]

Any news on this?